Alexander Isak of Liverpool warms up during a Liverpool training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match against PSV Eindhoven at AXA Melwood Training Centre on November 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)placeholder image
Alexander Isak of Liverpool warms up during a Liverpool training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match against PSV Eindhoven at AXA Melwood Training Centre on November 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Alexander Isak has struggled at Liverpool following his £130million move from Newcastle United.
Isak went on strike at Newcastle United, refusing to train or play, before successfully forcing through his £130million British record transfer to Anfield on September 1.
And the Sweden international has paid the price for his lack of pre-season by making a poor start to his Reds career. Following Saturday’s 3-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest, Isak became the first Liverpool player to lose in their first four starts since Percy Saul in October 1906.
Liverpool told to stop playing Alexander Isak
Isak has scored just one goal in his opening nine appearances and recently missed four matches due to a groin issue.
As the 26-year-old’s struggles continue, former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has called for the striker to be removed from the squad until he reaches full fitness.
"I think Alexander Isak needs a period of time out of the Liverpool squad," Warnock told Which Bookie. "He needs to be working away from the team and make sure he does the pre-season fitness work that he missed.
"Whether it’s long runs to work on his cardio or sharp sprints to get him back up to speed, he needs miles in his legs.
"He’s lacking a robustness and strength in his legs that you need to be able to deal with the physicality of the league, sprint fully and compete at any point in the game, even if it’s in the last minute.
"He doesn’t seem like he can sprint properly and break away on the counter-attack or get back to help defensively. However, Liverpool seem to feel that they need him in the matchday squad, which is a tricky situation.
"It probably doesn’t help that some of the other players aren’t performing either. Hugo Ekitike should be the starting striker.
"That said, Slot obviously feels as though he needs options, which is why Isak is in the squad. There appears to be a lack of trust in Federico Chiesa, so he feels he needs Isak on the bench or in the starting XI."
Arne Slot on Alexander Isak’s Liverpool struggles
Although Isak has made a slow start to life on Merseyside, manager Arne Slot has continued to stick by his record signing. Earlier this month, the Dutchman called for time before judging Isak’s performances.
Slot said: "Isak will train with the team again after three weeks out. I know that I said three weeks ago that his pre-season has ended so now it's time for us to see where he is.
"But I have to come back to those words, because if you are three weeks only with the rehab, that doesn't bring you back to the levels he was three weeks ago.
"Even though our rehab has done an incredible job, you cannot compare rehab with games of football or training sessions with the team. As much as we try to replicate it, that's simply not possible. So, again I have to say, give him some time."
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